tub resurfacing fumes apartment tub resurfacing fumes apartment

It is amazing that I get over 100 hits per month on the article from homeowners who are fumed out during and after refinishing. very good and helpful post thanks to author. Being relatively poor most of my life Ive always been a do-it-yourselfer. I had a tub refinished with epoxy that had a bad smell, but nothing like this. However, products are more dangerous when they are sweet smelling, and as your article states your are already exposed once you smell it. This may sound extreme, but I assure you, neglect to safety is not worth the life of a co worker, family member, or in my case a best friend. MC is not flammable on its own. It was not difficult and required no chemicals; the refinisher evidently did a very poor job of it. Does anyone know what would cause the reglazing to peel and chip from the tub? and it was very helpful for people, In addition to the hazards of strippers, old porcelain bathtubs, sinks and tiles manufactured before the mid-1990s could also have lead in the glaze, which could leach into bathwater, or if sanded or scraped could form a dust that if ingested by young children (who touch it with bare skin) could cause lead poisoning. I have 2 small kids and an infant. We are sorry to hear about the symptoms that you experienced and hope you are doing better. Bathtub Refinishing Countertop Refinishing Vanity Refinishing Fiberglass Enclosures Wall Tile Methylene chloride, a chlorinated solvent, is a volatile, colorless liquid with a sweet-smelling odor. Is that smell dangerous for children? We would appreciate your assistance in circulating the information in this blog and the Hazard Alert to those involved in bathtub refinishing. In workers with heart disease, an increase in carbon monoxide may lead to early onset heart attacks and arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats). This post is so informative and makes a very nice image on the topic in my mind. I think regulators should be aware of these dangers. What a Useful Post and great shared to Plumbing Service, Thanks author your Awesome tropic and Excellent Content. Vapors from this liquid can collect in the bottom of the tub and cause the person refinishing the tub to asphyxiate or even suffer from a heart attack because methyl chloride turns to carbon monoxide in the body, cutting off oxygen supply. I am sleeping in the living room under many blankets with the balcony door wide openis it safe? My apartment is very small and I sat in bedroom with my elderly cat not 20 feet away. I guess this is one of those occupational hazard jobs when doing bathtub refinishing. You get enough toxic chemicals in your daily life without adding additional products that harm you by breathing its toxic fumes or being absorbed into your skin. The Centers for Disease Control has more information on lead hazards on their web site. Karma: 3. If you feel you are in danger, you should contact your local emergency services for assistance. Bathtub refinishing is amazing. And Bathtub Aliphatic Acrylic Urethane MSDS. Follow the links to the Material Data Safety Sheet (MSDS) that the search will find. The restrictions on placing on the market and use is a consequence of many incidents with lethal outcome. How much should you renovate your NYC apartment before selling it? We have absolutely no ventilation in our apartment. NIOSH research and prevention efforts focus on worker risk, so we are not able to address this kind of exposure. He was found unconscious minutes later and was rushed to the emergency room, several neuro tests where done and they all concluded the same thing.. Kevin had been brain dead before he was found on the job. Our research focused on worker exposures from methylene chloride during the process of stripping the old paint off of the tub prior to refinishing. Almost every technical field has harmful effects but its on the company or professional person that how they can deal with it. It got so strong it burned my throat and eyes. As my two other friends and I stood there over our lost brother, we could not help but cry, tell stories of our past together, and wish that he could hear us one last time. My tub will soon be refinished and I am glad I have read this article. The nearby exterior door was open for ventilation and the overhead fan was blowing and although they had a pipe going from the bathroom down the hall and out the front door this was not sufficient. Follow all applicable OSHA standards, including the Methylene Chloride standard (. The use of a respirator scrubber mask (gas mask) isnt complete protection. refinish or reglaze it or just replace it altogether. Prolonged skin contact may cause irritation and even chemical burns. However, we have shared the findings of this work and made recommendations to manufacturers and with agencies that may have regulatory/legal authority, including those with oversight beyond the workplace. It hurt to know he was no longer mentality or livingly present with us in that room. Having your bathtub professionally refinished will cost around $460 (the national average), but you can expect to pay between $200 to $900 depending on the type of tub you have and the cost of labor in your location. Our tub was just resurfaced today I was told six hours after they got done we could return to the apartment and stay the night just cant use the tub or take the tape off for 48 hours is that safe? Thanks! http://retrorenovation.com/2016/05/02/understanding-potential-lead-hazards-old-porcelain-enamel-bathtubs-sinks-ceramic-tile-any-age/#ixzz47UvHcM00. Contractors who handle bathtub refinishing or reglazing are well-versed in the health risks and OSHA (the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Association) guidelines for risky jobs like these, making it an easy choice to bring in an expert for the task. What are the governing bodies that oversee these applications? I gave my 2 year old a bath a little more came off. What are the effects of being in the house during the process (for our pets) and after the process (chemical wise around our kids). We refinish or "reglaze" bathtubs, showers, wall tile, bathroom sinks and counters as well as . Workers are exposed to methylene chloride by breathing it in and by absorbing it through their skin. Material data sheets, now referred to as Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are prepared by those who sell chemical products. You should always wear protective clothing and use the appropriate safety-rated equipment whenever you are doing any household repair or remodeling work, and reglazing a bathtub is no exception. Thanks for your comment. Thank for speaking about about tub refinishing. We had it done over a year ago, and even with ventilation, I was outside in January feezing temps. It was a cold day, so I went back inside. Is there some disconnect between science, policy and legal enforcement? Alternatively, you can search on Methylene Chloride and Safety Data Sheet for a listing of various SDSs for similar products. As a research agency, we do not have regulatory authority over the labeling or regulating on how methylene chloride is sold. If you need to go back and make any changes, you can always do so by going to our Privacy Policy page. As exposure increases so do the health effects, with a potential for suffocation, loss of consciousness, coma, and sudden death. However, the human body can quickly become desensitized to the smell and a worker may be overexposed even if he or she can no longer smell it. Saving Lives, Protecting People, Methylene Chloride Hazards for Bathtub Refinishers, http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Research/Pubs/#General, http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/SWA, http://retrorenovation.com/2016/05/02/understanding-potential-lead-hazards-old-porcelain-enamel-bathtubs-sinks-ceramic-tile-any-age/#ixzz47UvHcM00, https://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/09/21/17991/common-solvent-keeps-killing-workers-consumers, http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/isocyanates/default.html, http://jwcpropertyservices.co.uk/bathtub-refinishing-dangers/, https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/indoor-air-quality-apartments, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. He came home and seemed fine for a few days and then suddenly died. Are these chemicals only toxic while being applied, or can they still be harmful later as used? According to the Centers of Disease Control, more than half a million children ages 1-5 in the U.S. have blood lead levels high enough to damage their health. Can you give me any help in researching to determine if the polyurethane/acrylic finishes leaches? It always falls on us, to make sure, inspections we pay for, cover areas of higher hazard. The most dangerous part of the bathtub refinishing process is inhaling the fumes associated with the job. We can avoid being harmed if we will be knowledgeable about things. The fumes are strong in the bathroom so I have the bathroom door closed, vent on. Thanks for your comment. We are in a rental and I had to stop allowing my daughter to take baths because its everywhere. Thank you for your comment. Hover Image to Zoom. I feel sure many, many more have died from methylene chloride than we know why is this so? My apartment complex refinished nicks in tub. What to know about adding skylights to your NYC brownstone or apartment, How to evaluate different types of NYC contractor bids when you're renovating, New Yorkers moving out of state save more money on housing than taxes, 5 houses for sale in Margaretville, NY, a small town in the Catskills, 5 houses for sale in Sagaponack, the most expensive zip code in NY. Keep posting as I am gonna come to read it everyday! They know where people bathe. Posts: 19. I wonder if it healthy & ok to use the tub for baths after a certain period of tome (days?). OSHAs Methylene Chloride standard (29 CFR 1910.1052) requires employers to test the air to determine the concentration of methylene chloride present in the air when a product containing methylene chloride is used (29 CFR 1910.1052(d)). While a new tub can cost as little as $150, labor expenses for the replacement process can easily add $1,500 or more to the bill. If youre nervous, leaving your apartment for the duration of the job is always an option. Methylene chlorides boiling point is just over 100 F, and has a vapor pressure of 350 mmHg. I have a chipped tub that is built in with tile walls. I cant tell you how many times Ive told others in the field that are doing this to make sure they have more ventilation and to remove or re-coat the tube out of the bathroom and to at least not to do it without the proper breathing apparatus. You can also use your favorite search engine and search using the following key words: Bathtub Porcelain Glaze MSDS I think this type of finish should be banned. If methylene chloride is used, ensure that the room is adequately ventilated during the entire refinishing process. This may be less of a danger than with old lead-based paints, but something to be aware of. Let the physician or health care professional know the specific products and chemicals used and the environment you were working in. There are alternatives to using methylene chloride (MC) for bathtub stripping. Bathtub refinishing is also known as reglazing, or resurfacing. I like taking baths, but will not do so in this tub now knowing how unhealthy it actually is. It is the first time I visit your blog, but I was extremely impressed. Reglazing a tub doesnt actually take that long to do. We do not have any information about leaching of polyurethane/acrylic bathtub finishing. This toxic chemical which is known to be carcinogenic is still used with no warnings of the dangers. Great amazing blog post I really love such lovely blog posts. I very much agree with you, that safety and health is a very important thing in our lives, Step 2: Clean the Tub Thoroughly Step 3: Protect Areas Around the Tub Step 4: Remove the Glaze Step 5: Sand the Surface Step 6: Prep the Surface for Glaze Application My heart goes out to those who lost friends and/or loved ones due to CM. Without a thorough investigation of the respirator, process used, and procedures it would be hard to identify the source of this adverse effect. Gerda. I thought it would be a simple spray paint job. I now have a colostomy, urostomy,skin cancers and CKD(chronic kidney disease)with only one kidney working and that only functions at 15%. A bathtub replacement can cost around $2,900 on average and may add value to your property. The use of methylene chloride can be reduced significantly by professionals. ive found a majority of the time the diy kits people use never adhere well. Did you know that the fumes from the chemical used to refinish or reglaze your bathtub can be hazardous to your health? We are a BBB Certified Resurfacing company located in Houston, Texas. See the NIOSH topic page dedicated to occupational safety and health hazards associated with Isocyanates (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/isocyanates/default.html). Who cares what a bathtub looks like as long as it works? Please let me know where to seek more information, particularly in the Australian climate? When methylene chloride enters the human body, it affects brain function, such as concentration. I worked at [Company name removed] for 14years. I think this blog is very helpful in knowing about the bad effects Bathtub refinishing of such dangerous products.We need to know what all are used while doing refinishing.Thanks a lot for sharing. My business is in the UK, safety of workers is as important over here. If the room where it was used is flushed with fresh air, perhaps by using a small fan, it is unlikely that any methylene chloride will be present or continue to leech out days after the re-glazing was done. We do have pets and have young kids. Bathtub refinishing fumes are dangerous and you do not want yourself or anyone in the home breathing them. Brooklyn resident Emily Gilbert had her familys tub and part of the bathroom wall reglazed four-and-a-half years ago (, Moving to NYC after college? A lot of times when a solvent stinks, you realize you need the right protective equipment and ventilation. Dont do it if you have to stay in your home immediately after. Brooklyn resident Emily Gilbert had her familys tub and part of the bathroom wall reglazed four-and-a-half years ago (read more about that here), and overall, is pleased with the results. Hello my name is Kris I amthe owner at Tub Klass NJ. The legal basis is Annex XVII of the REACH regulation. Is that dangerous as well? Bathtub refinishing is very risky. Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you. I have been home for about 3 hours now with every window and balcony open and these posts are freaking me out! I hope many people will now be thinking at least thrice before making use of such chemicals. I think this blog is very helpful in knowing about the bad effects Bathtub refinishing of such dangerous products.We need to know what all are used while doing refinishing.Thanks a lot for sharing such a helpful information. There is apparently limited research on this issue, but there are case studies of some children getting lead poisoning from bathing in an old bathtub that was leaching lead. A fresh air system is critical. My Landlord is planning on re glazing our tub and we are leaving for the weekend. Second tub went smoother because I had a window to open for air circulation. We need to know what all are used while doing refinishing. I own a small bathtub refinishing business and we have committed to stay away from M.C. Need professional help with your project? All comments posted become a part of the public domain, and users are responsible for their comments. Sometimes, its less expensive to replace a tub than to get it refinished, especially if its a rare type of tub made of an unusual material. This is a moderated site and your comments will be reviewed before they are posted. My puppy also is constantly licking the floor. Why can strippers with this ingredient be sold to consumers in U.S. hardware stores that do _not_ sell the full-face air supplied respirators that should be worn while using it? i like it. It is an odd sized bathtub so I did not even consider ordering a replacement custom-made. An expert starts by sanding down the tub's. Many post pictures but up close you cant see the brush strokes they leave behind. I take epsom salt baths and the salts are absorbed systemically. Bathtub refinishing can be very dangerous indeed, I have seen many poorly trained so called bathtub refinishing specialists using dangerous chemicals to refinish bathtubs in peoples homes without the proper ventilation systems in place and without using the proper protective equipment necessary. The fumes are stronger fumes so we do not allow anyone to be in the apartment for 8 hours. Brick Underground articles occasionally include the expertise of, or information about, advertising partners when relevant to the story. (before we had kids). I have contacted the government,the union head [name removed], and the legal ombudsman but to no avail. What's the difference between jumbo and conforming loans? Really I like got very valuable information here and Looking forward to read your Upcoming Post. Perhaps this us not the case. When engineering and work practice controls cannot decrease methylene chloride levels below OSHAs PELs (25 ppm over an 8-hour TWA or 125 ppm over a 15-minute period), employers must provide their workers with full-face atmosphere-supplying respirators. My cat was crying and jumping on the door to get out. The whole job will take around 5 hours after which you will have a reglazed bathtub. I did not use any safety precautions, but I was in the garage with a fan and the garage door opened. The bathtub/shower in my apartment was reglazed this morning. Thank you. So, it presents no long-term hazard to the resident. Cookies used to make website functionality more relevant to you. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects of such dangerous products.I think this type of finish should be banned.This is great information to share to hopefully make us more aware and careful. The first one was a very long process because there was no air circulation what so ever si the two part paint kit kept separating from one another which kept me in the room with only my Tshirt pulled over my nose. I had my tub reglazed recently. Thank you so much! share Share. The Safety and Health Assessment and Research for Prevention (SHARP) program at the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries has profiled two businesses that successfully strip bathtubs without MC. For consumer concerns such as this you may want to contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. I would really like some reassurance. Many stripping products (including those that may also be available to consumers) contain high percentages of methylene chloride. There are a few scratches and black marks from a previously installed shower door that was installed on the tub. The NIOSH studies pertained only to workers who were applying methylene chloride directly, and we have not studied consumer-related exposure. Winter renters lose leverage, questions for condo and co-op buyers, & more, The allure of tax abatements, a Chelsea affordable housing lottery, & more, Co-ops may have some 'splaining to do, renting a penthouse, & more. This study is great for warning against the potential dangers. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. The bath was not stripped just resurfaced with a very thin layer of the napco product paint. These cookies may also be used for advertising purposes by these third parties. But if we get together as a group of experienced bathtub refinishers I am positive that we can come up with a simple solution that will keep us safe. Specifically, typical mobile LEV units have a fan, flexible ductwork, and a hood near the tub that exhausts hazardous vapors to the outdoors. Other uses, such as use by professionals outside industrial installations or household use by individuals is forbidden. You must ventilate your workspace to minimize tub reglazing fumes. That is a shocking statistic, At least 14 workers have died since 2000 as a result of using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. Ya, very helpful articles are posted. There were 13 Fatal Exposures to Methylene Chloride Paint Strippers Among Bathtub Refinishers in the last decade. (Centers for Disease Control) Not to mention those who experience unexplained symptoms that go undiagnosed that may also be caused from these dangerous bathtub refinishing and paint stripping chemicals. Comments listed below are posted by individuals not associated with CDC, unless otherwise stated. Bathtub refinishing is very dangerous. Our apartment building had the next apt tub realized these morons did this in winter and there was no windows open. Your new bathroom's finish won't have any . Thanks for the post on this. Avoid or minimize spraying methylene chloride. Ive also learned that without experience or training, what may be simple in concept is often the opposite in practice. Bare minimum, the ventilation should meet some requirements, and homeowners should HAVE to LEAVE THE HOUSE for 3 days. During this process, the holes and cracks in the bathtub will also be repaired. Refinishing is also the best option with antique tubs that dont lend themselves to relining. You also want to keep shampoo bottles and other products off the surface, aswell as a mat with suction cups. My husband and I have been thinking about getting our master bathtub refinished so we will have to keep this information in mind. Thanks for your comment. Is it safe to stay???? But it's not just about looks. Mostly problem is that it can broken. I am all for saving money and dont wish to come off like I dont appreciate the effort but if your already saving $5000 why not let a pro do it. I think there should be more regulation on access to such chemicals and certainly there should be stringent training laws in place when it comes to using such chemicals. This is great information to share to hopefully make us more aware and careful. It can and will save your life. How do I know if this is toxic? NYC Renovation Chronicles: 5 ways to save on your bathroom renovation, Renovating a co-op? NIOSH research and prevention efforts focus on worker risk, so we are not able to address this kind of exposure. She is the recipient of two awards from the National Association of Real Estate Editors for interior design and service journalism. The company who gave me 6 year warranty has disconnected the phone number. So, if the concentration were over the PEL, for example at 50 ppm, the workers would exceed the 25 ppm average limit in 4 hours. Then, remove any cover plates, drain plugs and bathtub spouts. Contact me via e-mail njtragroup@gmail.com and send me your ideas. There is an incredible amount of data So, once workers can smell methylene chloride they are already being overexposed.. Even with treatment, lead poisoning can permanently affect a childs development. The warning labels should be more elaborate about the safety requirements. When is the best time of year to buy or sell a NYC apartment? If you've been considering a bathroom remodel, then replacing an older tub might just make sense. The guy who came to do tub had a fancy breathing mask that covered his whole face and tubes attached to his belt I was concerned when I saw the precautions he took but said it was no problem. Lead poisoning is a serious risk for young kids. After working in retail for many years, my mother retired, began buying and refinishing furniture. Awsome and useful informations too, thanks for sharing this educational post! If those working with these finishes have concerns about their health they can request a Health Hazard Evaluation from NIOSH at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/. This is poor. Renewing is the affordable and fast alternative to replacing. There is not any ventilation in the bathroom either. This post was helpful to me too. This is horrible People please do not use these DIY kits. These instruments are non-specific and will measure other VOCs present in the area in addition to methylene chloride. I understand the dangers of the application process, but what about the 2/3 days following the reglazing? We have for years been trying to come up with a Stripper that will remove Epoxy DIY kits that do not have the Methylene Chloride but time is an issue. This research only focused on worker methylene chloride exposures during bathtub refinishing. Its the very first time I call at your blog, however was very impressed. Dust masks do not protect you from bathtub refinishing vapors. NIOSH has continued to try to get the word out to workers and employers about the risks of working with methylene chloride. If the area is poorly ventilated (which is common in bathrooms) or the person doing the work isnt wearing the appropriate protective gear, they could stop breathing, or worsemethyl chloride has an effect similar to carbon monoxide poisoning. I am exposing myself by soaking in this tub? I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects of such dangerous products. IT IS REALLY VERY HELPFUL FOR ME.I LIKE YOUR POST BECAUSE IT IS VERY USEFUL FOR ME AS WELL. If the chemical you are using is marked as flammable then you can be sure that it is not 100% MC. So, it should not present a long-term hazard to the residents after the project. Thanks for this information. AND DURING CLEANING. One of the significant risks of refinishing a bathtub is exposure to methylene chloride or dichloromethane, which strips the tub and removes the previous glaze or finish. I would like to know. Methylene chlorides boiling point is just over 100 F, and has a vapor pressure of 350 mmHg. It feels toxic, but no one has instructed me to leave, so am I to assume that I am safe? Ive spoken with many other tub resurfacing company owners and employees, and most of them do not use or even own full-face air-supplied respirators. IF THE GLAZED TUB IS SCRATCHED LATER DOES THAT RELEASE TOXIC FUMES? Today, my apartment filled with fumes, and I feel sick. Thanks for telling us now. Technicians have been properly trained to do this type of work. She and her contractor agreed to wait until the weather cooledto remedy the situation. Theres no such thing as excessive safety precaution. Remove the overflow plate from the tub and begin the caulk removal stage.Start by removing the caulk around the tub where it meets the tile surround. I never post anything anywhere. 22 oz. What if they put a horrible smell into the product that would alert the user before overexposure. This may be an ignorant comment, so please accept my apology preemptively if so. To ensure their safety, the employees should have left the room immediately after applying the methylene chloride-based stripping agent to limit exposure to methylene chloride vapors. They take the dirt out but also take part of the glaze, he says. I would concenr it to home owners wanting to get bathtub resurfacing done. You can review and change the way we collect information below. I did two tubs in old houses yesterday. Instead, many homeowners have the existing tub reglazed or refinished, which typically costs $300-$600, depending on the area and process. Bathtubs should be refinished every seven to 10 years, or more frequently if there is significant damage, stained, or you (or your homes previous owners) havent been cleaning your bathtub the right way. Thank you for your comment. For consumer-related questions after the tub has been refurbished, please contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Wow! I opted in for your Feed too. Methyl chloride has high vapor pressure, meaning that it evaporates extremely quickly and turns into gas that can easily be inhaled, especially in a small bathroom that may not be adequately ventilated. If I do decide to hire a professional, I will make sure they have the ventilation equipment described here. Methylene chloride, a new chlorinated solvent, is usually a risky, without color liquid having a sweet-smelling smell. I have been refinishing tubs for 23 years. (Obviously, no, but you get the idea.). The apt right next to me was just resurfaced and the chemicals came through the air vents.